Farmers accuse the Fulani of failing to control their cattle and of damaging crops. In turn, the Fulani accuse farmers of stealing their cattle.

The Fulani insist they are only trying to defend themselves and preserve their traditional way of life.

"In the past you graze anywhere, you didn't come into contact with farms. But now you're forced to herd cattle along the road," says Isa Mosham Sarkin, a local Fulani leader in neighbouring Nasarawa state.

"People are saying that Fulani are a threat to the nation. But we're not the ones causing the problems - it is some farmers."

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Nomadic Fulani herdsmen spend most of their lives in the bush

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Farmers are scared of being attacked

Some observers fear that unless the issues are addressed the clashes could become more violent.

Growing insecurity and the effects of climate change are making a bad situation even worse, says Israel Okpe, from Pastoral Resolve, an organisation that promotes conflict resolution between farmers and the Fulani.

"Both sides are becoming more armed, they are preparing for anything," says Mr Okpe.

"We don't know where the weapons are coming from but they are sophisticated."

Behind the competition for land:

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Nigeria has suffered for years with communal violence, often linked to cattle raiding

Growing population - Nigeria's population could more than double to 440 million by 2050 according to the UN

Greater insecurity - the breakdown of law and order is pushing herdsmen and farmers towards more populated areas

Climate change - droughts are pushing herdsmen into areas their cattle previously did not graze.

The violence is also playing into the country's politics, which frequently breaks down along ethnic lines.

President Muhammadu Buhari, a Fulani, has been accused of turning a blind eye to the problem, sparking a public outcry.

In response, the government ordered security forces to crack down on cattle rustlers.

The government is also discussing plans to station security guards on farms and open up special cattle ranches where the herdsmen's cattle would be allowed to graze.

'Spinning out of control'

But critics say that will mean forcing farmers to give up land they already control, sparking further resistance.

For rice farmer, Rotimi Williams, there is only one solution: Farmers and the Fulani will need to find a way to share the land.

When 20 hectares (49 acres) of his rice paddies were ruined in February, he admits he was furious.

Some of his labourers were ready to take up arms. But he decided on a different approach.

Instead of lashing out, he hired the Fulani herdsman who caused the damage to provide security.

He then employed dozens of women from the nearby Fulani village to work in the fields.

"We need a pragmatic approach where we learn to resolve conflicts with our neighbours," he says.

"The situation is spinning out of control. Everyone is scared of herdsmen. But if you give them respect then you get respect in turn."

Respect and resolutions, however, are rare on the ground between farmers and the herdsmen.